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York Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 193 verdicts at York Crown Court (York). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

York Crown Court
April 2021 2 cases
George Tunney
Conspiracy to cause explosions and to burgle *
Sentence
11 years imprisonment
George Tunney, a 24-year-old from Doncaster, targeted nine cash machines in a spate of crimes across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, including the Co-op in Starbeck, between January and March 2020. The offences involved conspiracy to cause explosions and to burgle, as well as theft and handling stolen goods. He stole over £35,000 in cash from one ATM and caused in excess of £60,000 worth of damage to businesses. Just months after being released from prison, he began the burglaries in Doncaster and Hull, followed by attacks in Grantham, Mansfield, Nether Poppleton, Shepshed, and Adwick. Some explosives were used at fuel forecourts, endangering lives. He was apprehended after fleeing from police near the York Designer Outlet along the River Ouse.
Pleaded guilty to all charges. Banned from driving for eight years. Prior release from prison mentioned.
Gary Bowes
Dangerous driving *
Sentence
10 months imprisonment
Gary Bowes sped through Knaresborough and Harrogate at more than double the speed limit, ignoring road signs and shooting over junctions in residential areas including Stonefall Avenue in Harrogate. At some stages, he drove at speeds of up to 50mph in 20mph zones. He twice drove at the pursuing police car. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 5, 2019. When police caught up, he ran off but was soon caught. No injuries or damage to vehicles occurred, and there were few motorists and pedestrians around.
Admitted the charge of dangerous driving. Subject to a community order for previous offences at the time of the incident. Battled drug and alcohol problems. Criminal record not to his credit. Judge noted powerful mitigation but imposed immediate prison sentence due to seriousness.
March 2021 6 cases
Timothy Cheesbrough
Making indecent images of children and inciting sexual activity *
Sentence
21 months imprisonment
Timothy Cheesbrough, 35, from Kirkgate, Ripon, trawled the internet for inappropriate pictures of children as young as four. He downloaded videos of children being raped and sexually abused, including 61 Category A images and videos of girls aged four to 12 being raped by adult males. He visited websites and used video technology to encourage an unidentified girl aged 12-13 in a school uniform to expose her breasts, recording the live-streamed video using PowerPoint software. The activity was linked to his IP address, mobile phone, and Yahoo email accounts. Police searched his flat on September 27, 2018, following a tip-off in September 2018, and forensic analysis of his iPhone, desktop computer, and hard drive revealed over 170 illegal child images.
Admitted three counts of making indecent images and one of causing or inciting an under-age girl to engage in sexual activity. Judge Sean Morris noted addiction to internet pornography leading to seeking indecent images and incitement. Given a seven-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Richard Brewins
Causing actual bodily harm *
Sentence
8 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 150 hours unpaid work, 25-day rehabilitation programme, £300 compensation
On January 19, 2021, Richard Brewins, 38, of Thomas Drive, Killinghall, was heavily intoxicated and parked in a Peugeot 20 on Bedlam Lane near Fewston reservoir. Police responded to reports of a man slumped on the steering wheel. He became aggressive when asked to take a breath test, pushed an officer, and head-butted a constable in the face after being pepper sprayed, causing a cut to the bridge of the officer's nose and ongoing psychological effects. A passer-by assisted in restraining him. Brewins, a pizza delivery driver with complex psychiatric difficulties, was receiving treatment.
Pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. Judge noted the offence was serious enough for custody but suspended due to defendant seeking professional help to turn his life around. Seven previous convictions including three for common assault.
Christopher Hollowed
Supplying a Class A drug *
Sentence
20 months imprisonment
Christopher Hollowed, 54, of Mount Parade, was caught by plain-clothed officers dealing crack cocaine and heroin on the streets of Harrogate as part of a county lines operation. On an unspecified date in 2020, undercover officers in an unmarked car observed Hollowed exchanging a drugs packet via a 'hand-off' handshake with another man in the street. The men fled when approached, but Hollowed was recognized and apprehended, with cash seized. Fingerprints on the drug wraps linked him to the sale. A search of his block of flats revealed connections to a wider county lines investigation involving 'cuckooing' of vulnerable residents. Hollowed acted as a runner, moving drugs from a flat to the street. He was arrested on January 9, 2020.
Admitted two counts of supplying a Class A drug. Has 105 prior offences including 10 for drug possession. Described as a vulnerable drug user exploited by higher-level suppliers. Will serve half the sentence behind bars before release on licence.
Thomas David Ball
Voyeurism *
Sentence
20 months imprisonment
Thomas David Ball, a 30-year-old senior house master at Queen Ethelburga’s near Boroughbridge, became infatuated with a teenage boy pupil. In summer 2018, he installed a spy camera in a school bathroom and asked the boy to shower after registration. The boy noticed the active camera connected to wires under the sink and informed his mother. Ball initially denied the voyeurism but changed pleas to guilty a month before trial. He also downloaded prohibited images of young children being raped, bound, and tortured, and conducted 29 Google searches for the victim a month prior. Ball tried to blame other staff and admitted to the deputy safeguarding leader it was a stupid mistake.
Pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, downloading prohibited images, voyeurism. Placed on sex-offenders’ register for 10 years and subject to sexual-harm prevention order. Judge described offences as gross breach of trust against vulnerable boy.
William Charles Jackson
Causing death by dangerous driving *
Sentence
5 years and 8 months' imprisonment
On April 3, 2019, at around 10pm, William Charles Jackson was driving his red Vauxhall Astra along the A168 between Kirk Deighton and Walshford. Approaching the crest of a hill with double solid white lines, he overtook a slower moving vehicle, failing to see the oncoming car driven by Micheala Young carrying her mother Maria Cuzyova from Slovakia, her husband Nicholas Young, and their five-year-old daughter. This led to a head-on collision, killing 62-year-old Maria Cuzyova and causing life-changing injuries to Micheala and Nicholas Young, with the child suffering minor injuries.
Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Banned from driving for 7 years and 10 months. Ordered to pay £190 victim surcharge. Judge Simon Hickey referenced a disturbing text message showing disregard for road safety.
Michael Palmer
Attempted robbery *
Sentence
4 years and 7 months imprisonment
Michael Palmer, 41, and an unnamed accomplice broke into the Harrogate flat of a woman and her 60-year-old ill partner at about 3.30am on February 22, 2019, by smashing a pane of glass in the front door. Wearing masks and balaclavas, with Palmer in a black jacket, they confronted the woman in the hallway, pushed her into the living room, demanded money, and forced her to the floor. They searched the flat, entered the bedroom where the male victim was in bed, and demanded the woman's phone when she tried to call for help. They left empty-handed. Police arrested them nearby with items including a crowbar, gloves, and a home-made balaclava matching the crime scene via glass fragments and DNA. The victims were left traumatised, with the man suffering nightmares and both now nervous at bedtime.
Pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Career criminal with over 100 prior offences including burglaries, violence, and dishonesty. Hooked on crack cocaine and alcohol at the time. Judge condemned the horrific offence of random violence on innocent elderly victims.
February 2021 2 cases
Andrew Paul Christian Brown
Supplying heroin *
Sentence
5 years and 7 months imprisonment
Andrew Paul Christian Brown, 46, was arrested in the Montpellier Hill area of Harrogate on 17 September 2020 by officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team. He was charged with supplying heroin on dates in 2019 and 2020, as well as possessing criminal property – namely more than £700 found in his underwear following a search by officers.
Pleaded guilty. £716 confiscated and must pay a victim surcharge.
Monique Shiels
Possessing cocaine and ketamine with intent to supply *
Sentence
2 years imprisonment
Monique Shiels, 25, from Water Skellgate, Ripon, was working as a traffic marshal at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate when police responded to a tip-off about her dealing drugs. On September 25, 2019, the fourth day of the event, officers found her near her vehicle with £333 cash, orange tablets, and powdered substance in a black bag. A search of her car revealed digital weighing scales, a mobile phone with texts discussing drug deals, 8g of cocaine, and 10g of ketamine. Text messages indicated ongoing drug-dealing activities for some time. She was arrested, refused to answer questions, and later admitted the charges.
Pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and ketamine with intent to supply. Nine previous convictions for offences including violence, breaching court orders and possessing MDMA. Judge noted offences were so serious that immediate prison sentence was required. Sentence reduced due to delay in case and COVID-19 conditions in prisons. Vehicle confiscated and statutory surcharge ordered.
January 2021 1 case
Ian Binns
Stalking causing fear of violence *
Sentence
3 years and 4 months imprisonment
Ian Binns, 46, from Woodfield Road, Harrogate, stalked his ex-partner between September and December 2020 following the end of their six-year on-off relationship. He followed her in the street, drove past her home shouting and screaming, bombarded her with 53 phone calls while she was on holiday, sent bloodstained 'begging' letters expressing love and self-harm threats, forced his way into her home resulting in a physical altercation, cut his arm and tried to smear blood on her, doused himself in fuel and attempted to set himself alight in front of her, and pushed her to the ground causing injury. The victim reported him to police after hiding from him and suffering nightmares; she described him as reckless, irrational, dangerous, and unstable.
Admitted the charge of stalking causing fear of violence. Made subject to a lifetime restraining order banning contact with the victim or going near her home. Mental health issues and taking tranquilizers at the time of offences noted, but behaviour described as outside normal human behaviour.
December 2020 3 cases
Ben Bland
Possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply *
Sentence
2 years suspended prison sentence, 200 hours unpaid work, 19-session thinking-skills programme
Ben Bland and Ethan Bodally were caught by undercover police officers selling heroin and crack cocaine in Valley Gardens, Harrogate, on January 7, 2020. Police found £85 on Bland hidden in his sock, and later retrieved a bag he hid in a bush containing over £1,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine. They were involved in county lines drug dealing from Leeds.
Admitted two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. £85 found hidden in his sock. A member of the public reported him hiding a bag in a bush containing heroin and crack cocaine worth over £1,000.
Ethan Bodally
Possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply *
Sentence
2 years imprisonment
Ethan Bodally and Ben Bland were caught by undercover police officers selling heroin and crack cocaine in Valley Gardens, Harrogate, a well-known drug dealing spot, on January 7, 2020. The officers noticed the age disparity between the defendants and suspected users. Bodally, from Leeds, was involved in county lines drug dealing while on bail for prior offenses.
Admitted two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. Had eight previous convictions and was serving a four-and-a-half year sentence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Under extreme pressure from drug bosses to meet £5,000 debt, including a brutal attack that broke his thigh bone. Judge noted it was the least sentence possible, adding one year to his existing term.
Martin Richard Shepherd
Breaching a sexual harm prevention order *
Sentence
2 years imprisonment
Martin Richard Shepherd, a former IT support officer at Harrogate District Hospital, breached his sexual harm prevention order by deleting internet history and downloading a vast amount of pornography including indecent images of children on his Android tablet. The breaches occurred over a four-month period between May and September 2020, discovered during an unannounced police visit on September 2, 2020, at his home in Harrogate. He admitted viewing indecent videos of children at least twice a week, sometimes daily, mainly involving female children aged 10 and over, and confessed he couldn't resist the urge. This follows his 2017 conviction for possessing 748,000 illegal images amassed over 14 years from 2002 to 2016, including Category A material of very young children, distribution of 19 videos, and voyeurism of teenagers in 2005 and 2012.
Pleaded guilty to four counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Described as a dangerous offender who had breached the order before. Judge noted he couldn't help himself. Must serve two-thirds behind bars or until Parole Board deems fit, followed by extended four-year period on prison licence.
November 2020 4 cases
Frederick Squires
Conspiracy to commit burglaries and conspiracy to cause explosions *
Sentence
8 years and 6 months imprisonment
Frederick Squires and an unnamed 16-year-old targeted cash machines across Yorkshire and Leicestershire using a stolen vehicle with cloned registration plates. On March 4, they pumped gas into a cash machine at the post office in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and lit a fuse, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Later that night, at about 3.15am, they targeted the Jet garage in Adwick near Doncaster, stealing £35,130 in cash cassettes. On March 6, shortly after 1am, they unsuccessfully targeted the cash machine at the Co-op on High Street in Starbeck, causing an explosion. On March 10, following a 100mph police chase near York, the vehicle crashed into barriers at the York Designer Outlet. Squires and the teenager were found hiding in a tree trunk near the River Ouse and arrested.
Pleaded guilty to all charges. Disqualified from driving for 7 years and 3 months.
16-Year-Old Teenager From Doncaster
Conspiracy to commit burglaries and conspiracy to cause explosions *
Sentence
2-year detention and training order
The 16-year-old from Doncaster and Frederick Squires targeted cash machines across Yorkshire and Leicestershire using a stolen vehicle with cloned registration plates. On March 4, they pumped gas into a cash machine at the post office in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and lit a fuse, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Later that night, at about 3.15am, they targeted the Jet garage in Adwick near Doncaster, stealing £35,130 in cash cassettes. On March 6, shortly after 1am, they unsuccessfully targeted the cash machine at the Co-op on High Street in Starbeck, causing an explosion. On March 10, following a 100mph police chase near York, the vehicle crashed into barriers at the York Designer Outlet. The teenager and Squires were found hiding in a tree trunk near the River Ouse and arrested.
Found guilty following trial. Cannot be named for legal reasons.
Daniel Chatten
Possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply *
Sentence
three-and-a-half years imprisonment
Daniel Chatten, 18, from Harrogate, was arrested twice for supplying heroin and crack cocaine. On July 6, 2020, police spotted him walking away from a known drug user in Tower Street, Harrogate. He ran but was caught in Victoria Avenue, where officers found £675 cash, a debt list, a constantly ringing mobile phone, and 100 wraps of Class A drugs (57 high-purity cocaine and 43 heroin) in his underpants. He bragged the cash was not even half a day's takings and was acting as a drug runner for higher suppliers. Released on bail, he was arrested again about six weeks later on Coach Road after being spotted and recognised. A single wrap of cocaine was found in a cigarette lighter, and a search of his home revealed 22 wraps of cocaine, 11 wraps of heroin, 23 smaller bags of heroin, 23 deal bags of crack cocaine, weighing scales, and £160 cash, which he helped locate. He began selling drugs to buy a house and continued to repay debts after the first seizure.
Pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. No previous convictions for drug offences. Judge noted he was dealing potentially lethal substances that create misery and continued offending after arrest due to debt.
James Bryant
Outraging public decency *
Sentence
9 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years
On February 27, 2020, just before 7pm, James Bryant, 38, of Shaw Mills, Harrogate, parked at a Harrogate filling station, waited for the forecourt to clear, entered the shop, exposed himself to the lone female cashier, and performed a lewd act while smiling, lasting about half a minute. The victim was distressed and afraid for her life, now locking the shop door in the evenings. Bryant drove away and was arrested two weeks later when his vehicle was spotted. Police found a machete, hunting knife, and lock knife in his car boot among his possessions; he claimed they were from his recent move from Cambridge to Harrogate. He had lost over £50,000 in cryptocurrency, was a heavy cannabis user, living out of his car, and unemployed. He admitted the offenses and had a prior 2016 conviction for indecent exposure.
Ordered to complete a 40-day rehabilitation programme and a 90-day sex-offending prevention course. Judge commented on self-induced mental health problems from cannabis use.
October 2020 2 cases
Colin Bradley
Possessing a bladed article in public and theft *
Sentence
11 months imprisonment
Colin Bradley, 33, of Hargrove Road, entered Asda in Harrogate on March 3, 2020, carrying a meat cleaver and stole two bottles of Jack Daniel's whisky. He became aggressive when confronted by store staff, threatening with the hidden weapon, before leaving. Police stopped him shortly after and he handed over the meat cleaver. He was drunk and possibly high on drugs. During bail, CCTV showed he committed multiple thefts from February to June 2020, including alcohol, food, and ready meals from Co-op stores on Knaresborough Road and King Edward Drive, and Sainsbury’s in Knaresborough. He had 10 prior convictions including possessing an imitation firearm, carrying a knuckle duster, serious violence, and drug offences. The spree was linked to binge-drinking and homelessness following family bereavements.
Pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in public and seven counts of theft. Judge noted it was a serious offence requiring immediate custody, with a minimum jail term as a second-striker for possessing a blade or offensive weapon. Will serve half behind bars before release on licence.
Daryl Hart
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm *
Sentence
14-month sentence suspended for 18 months
Daryl Hart, 46, from Harrogate, was drunk and high on cocaine when he attacked a man in Scarborough with an unidentified weapon in August 2019. The incident occurred after Hart and a female left the West Riding pub on Castle Road to look for drugs and were followed by the victim to a flat. The victim forced his way into the flat and attacked Hart, leading to a fight in which Hart used the weapon, causing the victim several puncture wounds to his back and two to the front, including a punctured lung requiring hospital treatment.
Pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation programme. Prior violent convictions taken into account, but health issues, remorse, and not being the initial aggressor considered.
September 2020 2 cases
Alexander Melville
Causing serious injury by careless driving *
Sentence
5 months imprisonment
On January 26, 2020, at about 8.45am, Alexander Melville, 42, from Roseville Drive, Harrogate, was driving an unregistered and uninsured BMW on Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, after inflating its tyres at a garage. While lighting a cigarette, the vehicle veered onto the pavement, struck pedestrian Richard Selby, 58, causing a double fracture of the leg, dislocated shoulder, and fracture of the shinbone at the knee joint. Selby required surgery including pins in his broken leg and still needs crutches eight months later. Melville collected his belongings and walked away casually. He handed himself in after seeing police appeals. Melville had been disqualified from driving the previous year in Lincolnshire and lost his job as an award-winning prestige car salesman.
Pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance, failing to stop after a road crash and failing to report an accident. Also given a two-year driving ban. Judge noted he was ordinarily a decent man but disqualified drivers must expect immediate prison.
Joel Adam Rushton
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm and Malicious Communications *
Sentence
22 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 150 hours unpaid work, 25-day rehabilitation programme, 9-month curfew, £1,500 compensation
On January 3, 2020, Joel Adam Rushton assaulted a police officer, fracturing his nose and cheekbone, while resisting arrest at his home in Harrogate for making threatening phone calls to his ex-partner six months after their breakup in June 2019. The threats included statements like 'I’m going to smash your head in; I’m going to kill you' and he had visited her mother's property, kicking the door. The ex-partner sought refuge at Harrogate Police Station due to fear. During the arrest, Rushton became violent, requiring pepper spray, and grabbed an officer's baton. The officer suffered physical injuries and ongoing mental effects including depression and sleep problems.
Pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker occasioning actual bodily harm and making threatening phone calls under the Malicious Communications Act. Judge noted good character references and out-of-character behaviour, but branded threats to ex-partner as disgraceful. Previous convictions for public disorder taken into account.
August 2020 1 case
Geoffrey Crowther
Making and taking indecent images of children *
Sentence
12 months in jail
Geoffrey Crowther took indecent images of a three-year-old girl secretly on two different smart phones between 30 April 2017 and 14 November 2018. He also made four indecent images of children in Category A, three in Category B, and ten in Category C between 14 June 2017 and 14 November 2018. He was arrested on 12 November 2018 following intelligence of suspicious website activity. Devices were seized and examined. Charged on 1 April 2020 and pleaded guilty on 9 July 2020. Safeguarding measures implemented for the child; no contact offences occurred.
Pleaded guilty to four charges. Placed on the sex offenders’ register. Self-employed heavy goods driver.
July 2020 2 cases
Armaan Ahmad
Possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply *
Sentence
20 months imprisonment
Armaan Ahmad, 24, from Church Lane, Adel, Leeds, was arrested on April 18, 2019, after police stopped his Audi A3 in Harrogate and found 26 wraps of cocaine worth £380 and six bags of MDMA powder, along with £340 cash and a mobile phone with incriminating messages. The messages showed he was directed by a drugs boss to deal cocaine and MDMA in Harrogate and Leeds, earning £100 that day for selling £780 worth of drugs. He claimed he had only been dealing for two days and handed over remaining drugs at a mosque in Leeds. He fell into dealing after losing his job, getting into debt from a payday loan, and being tempted by a friend with easy money. He played a significant role as a drug runner or courier.
Pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. Described as 'intelligent but naive' by defence. Judge noted he was ordinarily a decent young man who brought shame to his family. Will serve half behind bars before release on licence.
Daniel John Gresham
Sexual touching a girl aged under 13 and making and distributing indecent images of children *
Sentence
3 years imprisonment
Daniel John Gresham sexually abused a girl aged under 13 over a 2 year period from 2013, making and distributing indecent images of the same girl, which he shared online earlier in 2020. He was arrested in March 2020 after police seized electronic devices from his home in Harrogate, which were analysed by North Yorkshire Police's Digital Forensics Unit.
Pleaded guilty to sexual touching a girl aged under 13 and making and distributing indecent images of the same girl. Made subject to a 15 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Date Not Specified 18 cases
Darren Lee James
Rape and sexual assault *
Sentence
15 years imprisonment
Darren Lee James raped and sexually abused a young girl in York. The child became separated from her family while shopping, and James took her down a dark alleyway by a shop on Thoresby Road where he carried out his first sexual assault. A few days later, he raped her and carried out a serious sexual assault. The victim did not initially tell anyone due to fear of trouble but later confided in a relative and social worker. James, of Thoresby Road, Acomb, York, North Yorkshire, YO24, and the girl are not related.
Denied rape and two charges of sexual assault but convicted by a jury. Recorder Dapinder Singh QC described it as a sustained incident on a particularly vulnerable complainant. Additional 1 year extended supervision, placed on sex offenders register for life, and made subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention order. No prior sexual convictions; mitigation included chequered upbringing, excess drinking, cannabis dependence, unemployment, and long-standing mental health problems.
Daniel Gallagher
Attempted grievous bodily harm with intent *
Sentence
18 months imprisonment
70-year-old motorist drove into the back wheel of a cyclist riding an e-bike with his wife in Filey Brigg Country Park, causing him to fall. Gallagher exited his car with clenched fists shouting 'I’m going to batter you'. After the cyclist remounted, Gallagher rammed him again onto the bonnet and windscreen. He then performed a U-turn and clipped the rider once more as the couple moved onto grass. The cyclist suffered long-term shoulder and neck pain and feared for his life.
Pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. Banned from driving for 21 months and must take an extended driving test. Judge Sean Morris described his behaviour as that of a 'lunatic' in a complete road rage, noting it could have resulted in murder if the cyclist had died.
David Weatherall
Indecent assault *
Sentence
3 years imprisonment
David Weatherall, of Fossdale Close, Knaresborough, abused a child for years starting when she was young, committing sexual acts that led to her suicide attempts and ongoing physical and mental health problems. The victim came forward after his 2019 prosecution for indecent images was reported in the media. He had previously been sentenced for possessing indecent images of children found during a 2017 police search of his home.
Pleaded guilty on the day of trial to four charges of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. Made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for life. Judge noted long-standing interest in children.
Angus Baillie
Food hygiene offences *
Sentence
2 years and 3 months imprisonment
Angus Baillie, 72, managed and lived at the Station Hotel in Pickering. A routine environmental health inspection of the kitchen in 2018 found dirty and unhygienic food preparation areas along with a fly infestation. He was charged following the inspection but went off grid in Scotland the following year, failing to appear in court. An arrest warrant was issued after he was found guilty in his absence.
Denied six counts of failure to comply with food hygiene regulations and four counts of failure to comply with a hygiene improvement notice. Failed to appear at court, found guilty in absence. Arrested in January 2026 after living off grid in Scotland. Judge Morris described continued absence as willful and was unable to award costs to the council due to lack of means.
Christopher Halloran
Rape and sexual assault of children *
Sentence
19 years' imprisonment with an extended 8-year licence
Christopher Halloran sexually abused up to a dozen children, some as young as three and four, over three decades from September 1986 to 2018 in properties in Hampshire and Selby, North Yorkshire. He groomed victims with cigarettes and alcohol, played 'games of dare' before exposing himself and assaulting them, including taking one victim to woods and another to a bird hide. Victims, both girls and boys, were sworn to secrecy and suffered long-term effects including mental health issues, job loss and marriage breakdowns.
Admitted 26 charges including two counts of rape, indecency with a child, sexual assault of children under 13 and assault by penetration. Eight other charges left on file. Judge Andrew Stubbs QC noted he is dangerous to children. Ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject to a sexual-harm prevention order for life.
Hamish Hickey
Causing death *
Sentence
23 months imprisonment
Hamish Hickey was on the school run when he crashed into Michael Lupton's car on a rural road near Ampleforth in North Yorkshire, on 26 July 2022, causing the death of the 84-year-old pensioner.
Admitted causing the death of 84-year-old Michael Lupton. Released on licence last August.
Kyle Stephenson
Rape *
Sentence
18 years imprisonment
Kyle Stephenson raped a boy, incited a girl to engage in sexual activity, and filmed himself having sex with a dog. The offences were committed between January 2020 and his arrest on 31 January 2021. He was a former Filey man, now of no fixed address.
Pleaded guilty to raping a boy and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. Admitted bestiality, which was taken into consideration. Subjected to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and must serve an extra year on licence.
Kenneth Nelson
Possessing indecent images of children *
Sentence
six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, community order with 20-day rehabilitation requirement
Kenneth Nelson was investigated after accidentally posting a picture of two naked girls on Pinterest, alerted by the Child Exploitation Online Protection squad. Officers searched his home in Wistow, North Yorkshire on June 14, finding 16,297 indecent images across multiple devices, mostly Category C erotic pictures of naked children, plus images of rape and abuse. He admitted searching for pre-teen pornographic images for excitement.
Pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of possessing a prohibited image of children. Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register. Judge commented: 'You had become quite literally obsessed with viewing images of that type. The fact is you chose to search out such images and view them, you did it quite deliberately, you did it repeatedly.'
Karl Swales
Attempted arson *
Sentence
two years and eight months imprisonment
Karl Swales, 47, removed all smoke detectors from a fully-occupied apartment block before setting fire to a pizza box and clothing in his doorway at the three-storey building in Trafalgar Square, Scarborough. The fire was discovered smouldering by the landlord drifting down the stairway.
High on drugs and alcohol. Judge Paul Batty QC noted the flat was in a complete mess and the landlord was entitled to evict him.
John Peter Noble
Child sex offences *
Sentence
10 years imprisonment
John Peter Noble, of North Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire, planned to sexually abuse a four-year-old girl. He was arrested in Ripon in April as part of an undercover police operation after making arrangements to meet who he believed to be his victim's family on 30 April. There was never a real-life victim and no children were ever in any danger.
Admitted the charges in May. Convicted of nine child sex offences. Put on the sex offenders' register for life. Previously convicted of possessing indecent images of children. Charged with breaching conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Mark Christopher Blackie
Sexual assault *
Sentence
10 years imprisonment
Mark Christopher Blackie, a teacher from Park Lane, East Lutton, near Malton, sexually abused five girls at his school for his gratification, including taking one alone into an area for a serious sexual offence, attempting to rape her, and other abuses. He used emotional blackmail to silence one victim. His actions drove one girl to overdose and self-harm. Two victims were vulnerable due to their emotional state. The victims gave compelling evidence.
Convicted after an 11-day trial of attempted rape, serious sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and seven charges of sexual assault. Barred from teaching or working with children again, placed on the sex offenders' register for life and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. Judge commented on his darker side and abandonment of decorum.
Marc Raven
Fraud *
Sentence
eight years and one month imprisonment
Marc Raven, of no fixed address, manipulated a Harrogate woman he met via a dating app in January 2018 into marrying him by October 2018. He falsely claimed to have money in a Singaporean bank account, encouraged her to sell her home and transfer over £200,000 to him between June 2018 and May 2019, leaving her bankrupt. He also defrauded a woman in Singapore of about £100,000 between July 2017 and August 2018 by claiming hospitalisation in Dubai requiring money for medical fees and customs fines, while he was in the UK.
Pleaded guilty to fraud against two women. Serial fraudster also known as Marc Bookey, Marc Cohen and Marc Stewart. Judge heard personal statement from victim's daughter about immeasurable damage caused.
Lee Harris
Theft *
Sentence
seven years and four months imprisonment
Lee Harris broke into a motorhome at a business on Grindon Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on August 22, 2025, causing irreparable damage by ripping out the front seats but failing to drive it away. A speck of his blood on a cushion provided DNA evidence linking him to the crime. The sentencing also covered his role in a gang that stole an £85,000 motorhome from an elderly couple in North Yorkshire using false number plates and an angle grinder; the gang was caught after a police chase across the North York Moors following GPS tracking.
55-year-old from Stockton-on-Tees. Sentencing covered a series of high-value thefts, including a break-in and damage to a motorhome in Newton Aycliffe and theft of an £85,000 motorhome from an elderly couple in North Yorkshire as part of a gang.
Mustafa Akgol
Sexual assault *
Sentence
3 years imprisonment
Mustafa Akgol, a chef of Redbarn Drive, Osbaldwick, forced his way into a stranger woman's bedsit on Redbarn Drive, York, on the evening of January 14, 2019. He sexually assaulted her after putting his foot in the door and following her to her bed, saying 'Ssssh' throughout. He returned later the same evening demanding a sex act, but she told him to leave. His DNA was found on her bra. He was identified in a police ID procedure. First trial in November abandoned; he went on the run but was arrested on a bench warrant. Second trial in February resulted in conviction.
Convicted by jury after denying sexual assault. Placed on sex offenders register for life and disbarred from working with vulnerable people and children for life. Judge Simon Hickey commented: 'A young, vulnerable woman in her own room was assaulted by you, forcing your way in.'
Nicholas Dalby
Rape *
Sentence
8 years imprisonment consecutive to existing sentence
Nicholas Dalby, a paedophile lorry driver formerly of the Selby area and more recently of Thirsk, raped and indecently assaulted a girl more than 15 years ago in different places including his lorry and caravan. This was his second prosecution; he was already serving a prison sentence for abusing another child several years prior. A woman contacted police in 2020 revealing the offences.
Pleaded guilty on day of trial to three charges of rape, four of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. Made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders' register for life. Extended licence period of 1 year upon release.
Peter Norman Jack Buckworth
Conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis *
Sentence
three years and one month in prison
Peter Norman Jack Buckworth was involved in operations distributing cocaine and cannabis across the Whitby area.
Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply both drugs and possession of criminal property connected to drug profits.
Paul Battersby
Making indecent images of children *
Sentence
4 years' imprisonment with an extended 3-year licence period
Paul Battersby, living alone in Skipton, North Yorkshire, scoured the internet for and downloaded 832 indecent images of children including rape of children aged between two and 10, bestiality images, while subject to a court order limiting online activity. Protection officers visited his home and found the material on his laptop along with cleaning software and special browser. Police had searched his home in October 2020, seizing equipment.
Admitted all charges: three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, breaching a sexual-harm prevention order, possessing 205 prohibited or cartoon images of children. Judge Simon Hickey highlighted deliberate use of wiping software, deeply embedded behaviour, flouting of court orders, and deemed him a danger to children with significant risk of reoffending. Ordered on sex offenders register for life and indefinite sexual-harm prevention order.
Oliver James Anglesmith
Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order *
Sentence
two-year sentence
Oliver James Anglesmith breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by hanging around a play area in Scarborough, seeking the company of children aged five to nine years old. He lifted two children over a fence unnecessarily and was trying to get them away from adults. A concerned parent called police, preventing further actions. The SHPO, made by East Yorkshire magistrates in 2013, bans him from being in the company of children among other restrictions.
Pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO. Recorder Geraldine Kelly commented on his intent to seek company of children aged five to nine, motivated by perverted interests. Previous convictions including sexual activity with a boy in 2008 and prior breaches of court orders.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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Court Image
The Castle, York YO1 9WZ, York, YO1 9WZ, United Kingdom
+441904645121
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

About York Crown Court

York Crown Court, located in York, is a Crown Court that handles serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, and other indictable offences. With 193 sentencing records in our database, it is one of the Crown Courts serving the York area. Crown Courts sit with a judge and jury, and have the power to impose the full range of sentences available under UK law.

The court can be found at The Castle, York YO1 9WZ, YO1 9WZ.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441904645121 or visit the official court website for further information.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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